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Get Safe vs SimpliSafe

To help you find the Best DIY Home Security Systems, TopConsumerReviews.com provides you with an in-depth comparison of Get Safe and SimpliSafe.

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Everyone wants to feel safe in their own home, no matter how big or small the residence. In the United States, there are over two million burglaries every calendar year, with losses averaging at least $2,000 per crime. Home security systems are the most popular, reputable way to deter would-be criminals and to catch them in the act.

However, many consumers are turning away from traditional home security systems which often involve lengthy service contracts, not to mention the installation of equipment and wiring that can leave unsightly holes in the walls - and that might not even be allowed by a landlord for those who are renting an apartment or house.

DIY Home Security Reviews

GetSafe offers one of the most straightforward approaches to DIY Home Security. Created by a group of veterans in the home security industry, this provider is the only one in our review that is controlled solely through a smartphone app and/or key fob: no control panel to navigate.

If you're already familiar with GetSafe, you may recognize that they've made some changes; previously, they offered a self-monitoring option for a lower monthly cost, but that plan is no longer being advertised on the site. (Interestingly, on the site's Service Availability page, it says that customers in Maryland and Rhode Island can only use GetSafe with a self-monitoring plan, but there are no details as to how
to access that service. If you live in one of those two states, you'll want to contact the company directly.)

Their current pricing structure is extremely easy to understand: 24/7 monitoring costs $35 per month, no matter what plan you choose or how many sensors and devices you have connected. If you prefer not to have a contract, you can pay for your equipment upfront; the required Starter kit sells for $249 and includes the Smart Hub controller, 1 Door/Window sensor, 1 Motion Detector, 1 Alarm Siren, plus window stickers.
If you choose to sign a one-year contract, your Starter Kit is free, and with a 3-year contract, you'll also get a $250 credit towards that can be used to purchase additional equipment like a Nest thermostat, extra window or door sensors, and many other add-ons.

All GetSafe systems are controlled by a Smart Hub, which uses your home WiFi - backed up by AT&T Cellular coverage - to control all components of your system. We continue to be impressed by the number of devices - from motion-detecting cameras to smoke detectors, flood sensors, sirens and more - that can be used with the GetSafe system, which supports up to 32 individual users and up to a staggering 64 total security
devices.

And, customer reports indicate that setting up the GetSafe system is exactly as easy as described:

Install the batteries in your sensors and mount them to your doors, walls, and/or windows as needed. These come pre-paired with your Smart Hub

Test your system by seeing which sensors activate; this will not set off an alarm but rather is part of the installation process

If you have any issues, GetSafe's customer service representatives are standing by to help you make any necessary tweaks and get your system up and running properly. You've got a 30-day trial period to make sure that your DIY installation is functioning the way you want and your home security system is meeting your needs.

We also found a lot of praise for GetSafe's service: the sales team is very non-pushy, so you won't be getting dozens of auto-dialed calls trying to sell you equipment you don't need. But, more importantly, you can expect to get very quick notification from the round-the-clock monitoring service if any part of your home security system is triggered.

GetSafe makes it easy and relatively affordable to protect your home, with no tricks in the fine print, and a fantastic no-contract-required option for those who want that kind of flexibility.

Frequently promoted by big names like CNET Magazine and Dave Ramsey, SimpliSafe offers home security systems with do-it-yourself installation. What makes them popular with a get-out-of-debt guru like Ramsey? That's easy: there's no required contract, and monitoring service fees are some of the lowest available, starting at just $14.99 per month.

As with all of the DIY systems in our review, you'll have to pay for your equipment: the intro package includes a little less than some of SimpliSafe's competitors, with just a base station and keypad, one door sensor, one remote sensor, and one keychain remote. This will set you back $229.99. Unless you have a small apartment/home, you'll probably need much more than that to get your home protection up and running;
larger packages add the following:

Compact: for $244.99, you get one extra entry sensor (total of 2)

Economy: for $259.99, you get two extra entry sensors (total of 3)

Economy Plus: for $304.99, you get a total of 4 entry sensors and 2 motion sensors

Starter Plus: for $304.99, you get the Economy package plus a 105 dB siren

The trend continues, with additional sensors and features as you go up in price through the packages: Lookout, Classic, Master, and Ultimate. Of course, you can also use the Build My System tool to put together the exact components you want for your particular situation.

You may even be able to save more money if you're willing to use "pre-owned" equipment: SimpliSafe is the only DIY home security company to offer refurbished equipment for purchase. Your savings could be as much as 30% compared with brand-new components.

What about monitoring? SimpliSafe keeps things, well, simple:

Standard, which includes basic round-the clock protection via cellular or WiFi connection for $14.99 per month.

Interactive, which adds the functionality of controlling and monitoring your system via smartphone or computer. You'll get text/email alerts if anything sets off your alarms. They also mention a "Secret! Alerts" if you have sensors on private rooms, safes, drawers, medicine cabinets, and so on, but there were no additional details as to how you'd set it up or which sensors would be needed. This
is $24.99
per month.

New customers will appreciate that SimpliSafe components come with a 3-year warranty, and the company offers a stellar 60-day satisfaction guarantee that allows for returns for any reason within that period.

However, SimpliSafe has a significant number of issues that may give you pause. First, you may have noticed that you'll have to pay extra just to use an app to control your system. With most of the DIY home security systems on the market, that functionality is included as part of keeping up-to-date with technology. It will then come as no surprise that SimpliSafe does not currently offer any integration with smart
home products, such as Amazon Alexa, Google Home, or Nest thermostats. For the truly DIY-and-tech-savvy customer, this is a glaring omission.

And, we found more than a few reviews that described being awakened by false alarms more than once - but not hearing from the monitoring service for up to five minutes. Customers also had difficulties in getting timely responses from SimpliSafe's customer service department when they needed help with their installation or when components weren't working as expected. One of the most common issues was with respect to
the cellular connection, trying to switch providers in order to work with the more reliable network in their service area.

Given how expensive the SimpliSafe equipment can be, we're glad that they offer a 60-day return window. If you like what this company has to offer, you'll have two months to put it to the test before deciding if they're the home security company for your needs.

Instead, customers are opting to use DIY home security systems, which gives them the convenience of setting up their protection equipment exactly the way they choose and taking it with them when they move to a new home.

Of course, every good DIY home security system should be paired with common-sense protective measures, such as using top-rated deadbolts on all entry doors and making sure all doors and windows are secure before leaving home or going to bed in the evening. Home protection experts strongly prefer security systems that include 24/7 monitoring as well, for added coverage and peace of mind particularly when people
are at home. Using live monitoring has been demonstrated to greatly reduce the likelihood of burglary or invasion, as most criminals want to avoid being caught red-handed.

An added perk to taking the DIY approach to home security is saving money. These systems tend to be less expensive to purchase and set up, and yet they are usually eligible for the same premium discounts on homeowners insurance: up to 20%.

When considering the various do-it-yourself home security systems on the market, what should you keep in mind? Each company differs when it comes to the type of equipment they sell and service, the ease of installation, and whether or not they offer live monitoring of your system. Keep the following criteria in mind:

Equipment Costs. What does the company include with its home security packages? How many sensors will you need, and what will you be charged to get the level of coverage you want? What will you have to spend to get any additional equipment that you need for your particular living arrangements?

Monitoring Service. Will your DIY home security system include any kind of monitoring, or is that left as your responsibility through online apps and other features? If 24/7 live monitoring is available, how much will it cost per month? If there's a break-in or other emergency at your home, will the service contact local authorities on your behalf?

Reputation. What do other customers have to say about the business, the equipment, and/or the service received? How easy is it to get help, either with your do-it-yourself installation or with the service? Can you expect a satisfaction guarantee or refund if you are unhappy with the home security service?

TopConsumerReviews.com has reviewed and ranked the best DIY Home Security Systems available today. We hope these reviews help you find the best do-it-yourself home security system that will keep you and your family safe for years to come!

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